Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

1985 VIN Decode Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 01:15 AM
  #1  
JB-1's Avatar
JB-1
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Tustin, CA
1985 VIN Decode Help

I've inherited from my (now retired and no longer driving) father a 1985 F150 with a 300 straight 6 and a 4 speed manual with a granny gear. I determined its an 85 by the sticker on the driver's door frame and by looking up the vin on Ford fleet website. The Ford fleet website is a start, but i'd like whatever additional information I can find. The vin is:
1FTDF15Y1FKA86579

The sticker on the door jam adds: trans b, axle 18, springs A V, body bb4, type-gvw f154.

I'd also like to know what transmission I have; I have a guess, but i would love to know for sure. Thanks for your help.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 06:44 AM
  #2  
Archion's Avatar
Archion
Logistics Pro
Veteran: Marine Corps
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 106
From: Martinsburg, WV
Club FTE Gold Member
use the vin decoder under the articles/specs menu at the top of the page for the VIN info.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 12:01 PM
  #3  
JB-1's Avatar
JB-1
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Tustin, CA
Thanks, That clears it up a little more, but I did not see the my transmission code listed. The options were D, E, M, T and U. I have tranmission code B. Any idea what that is?
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 12:24 PM
  #4  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
Welcome to FTE, JB!

Where did you get that D E M T U stuff? It looks to me like there were lots more available.

Transmission code B = Clark 4-speed overdrive

Source: FoMoCo 1980/89 Light Truck Parts Catalog.

 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 01:49 PM
  #5  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
Model Code (Type-GVW) F154 = 1984/ Pickup, 133" WB, 5450# GVW rating - F150 2WD

--

Body Code BB4..... The 1st two characters identify the color & type of materials used in the interior upholstery..... 1st digit is type of material & type of seat, 2nd digit is trim color

BB = Blue all vinyl
4 = Styleside Pickup

--

Springs.... This is a PITA to look up, all I can say right now is A is the code for the front, and V for the back.

Maybe more later.

--

Axle Code 18 is another odd one....

1983/1985 (inclusive) = 3.08:1 ratio, 3,750 lb. capacity Ford non-locking
1986 = 3.00:1 ratio, 3,800 lb. capacity Ford
1987/1989 = 3.08:1 ratio, 3,800 lb. capacity, Ford locking
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
JB-1's Avatar
JB-1
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Tustin, CA
Thats awesome guys, thanks.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2011 | 12:13 AM
  #7  
JB-1's Avatar
JB-1
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Tustin, CA
So...a correction is due here. I originally said the truck has a granny gear because that is what I was told and it was a couple of years ago when i drove it last (no current registration so no test drive for now), but based on your information that would seem to be incorrect, so my apologies on the bad info i provided. Regarding the Clark 4 speed od, is that the same as the T170FT?
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 07:24 AM
  #8  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by JB-1
I've inherited from my father a 1985 F150 with a 300 straight 6 and a 4 speed manual with a granny gear.

VIN: 1FTDF15Y1FKA86579

Sequence as listed on Certification Label: 133" W.B. / TYPE-GVW F154 / BODY BB4 / TRANS B / AXLE 18 / SPRING AV
Welcome to FTE

1FT = FoMoCo USA-Complete Vehicle.

D = Class D, 5,001-6,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating range.

F15 = F150 2WD Pickup.

Y = 4.9L I-6 EFI

1 = Check Digit, FoMoCo use only.

F = 1985.

K = Kansas City MO Assembly Plant.

A86579 = 1985 Numerical Sequence of Assembly.

F154 = F150 2WD Pickup, 133" Wheelbase, 5,450 lbs. GVWR

BB4: BB = Blue all Vinyl / 4 = Styleside Pickup.

B = Clark/Ford model RTS TS-OD 4 Speed Top Shift Overdrive.

18 = Ford 3.08-1 / non Limited Slip / 3,750 lb Rear Axle Capacity.

SPRING: AV: A = E0TZ-5310-A .. Front Spring, 2,300 lb. Load Rate / V = E2TZ-5310-A .. Rear Spring / With an E2 prefix, Load Rate cannot be determined after 1981.

Decoded using: 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.

Note: FTE VIN decoders aren't worth TWO CENTS! Have multiple errors and omissions.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 09:00 AM
  #9  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
JB,

NumberDummy somehow found some more information for your transmission as well as weight ratings for the springs, you can believe him as he did this kind of stuff for a living for 30-some years.

From what I can find, the T170FT is a different name for Ford/Clark RTS TS-OD your truck was built with.

http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech/t...ons_manual.htm
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 09:42 AM
  #10  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by ctubutis
NumberDummy somehow somehow? found some more information for your transmission as well as weight ratings for the springs, you can believe him as he did this kind of stuff for a living for 35 years.

From what I can find, the T170FT is a different name for Ford/Clark RTS TS-OD your truck was built with.

Ford Truck Manual Transmissions
If the spring part number prefixes begin with E0 or E1. the load rate can be determined by reading thru the 1980/81 front/rear spring charts.

If the spring part number prefixes begin with E2, E3 and etc., you're SOL

RTS listed in Manual Transmission Application Charts .

Ford confusion: There is no info inre to a Clark 4 speed in these charts, nor is there any Clark 4 speed parts lists.
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 09:50 AM
  #11  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
If the spring part number prefixes begin with E0 or E1. the load rate can be determined by reading thru the 1980/81 front/rear spring charts.

If the spring part number prefixes begin with E2, E3 and etc., you're SOL

RTS listed in trans application charts. There's not one peep inre to a Clark 4 speed in these charts, nor is there any Clark 4 speed parts lists.


Front springs seem to be separate from the rear springs, correct? Different sections?

At least, that's the way I remember it, don't remember how I found (at least some) stuff last time I went there....
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 09:54 AM
  #12  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by ctubutis
Front springs seem to be separate from the rear springs, correct? Different sections?
Basic part numbers: Front: 5310 / Rear: 5560

Happy New Year!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
royzell
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
1
Jun 7, 2010 09:20 AM
jaye
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Sep 14, 2005 01:28 PM
bomberboat
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Oct 7, 2004 05:41 PM
Zukster
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Feb 24, 2004 07:12 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE